𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐎𝐒 | SPINOFF

CHAPTER FIFTY

STELLA
RUSSEL

The cafeteria was alive with chaos, and I froze mid-step, gaping as Jaxon, usually calm and calculated, snarled at Melissa, a smug-faced girl who had just pushed Lily. Watching Jaxon argue wasn't on my bingo card for the year, but here we were. I wanted to jump in, claw at Melissa for what she'd done, but Papa Crist was standing nearby, his stern expression making it clear that any involvement from me would only lead to trouble.

"Fuck off," Jaxon growled, his arm tightening protectively around Lily's shoulders as she clutched her books to her chest, trying to make herself small. "You dare touch my girlfriend again, and I'll make your life hell."

Melissa laughed, her voice sharp and venomous. "You're a bastard, and she's your slut," she spat, her words hanging in the air like poison.

Papa Crist, standing tall as the principal, clenched his jaw. He was visibly on edge, the lines of professionalism blurring with every passing second. "Melissa, apologize for what you just said, or you're getting a suspension," he said, his voice low and deadly.

Melissa rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. "You're only defending him because he's your son. My daddy will hear about this."

Before Papa Crist could respond, the cafeteria doors burst open, and I froze. Mama Crist stormed in, her presence commanding and fierce. She strode into the room with Marcella trailing nervously behind her, clutching her phone like she'd just made an emergency call.

"Where the hell is my son?" Mama Crist's voice rang out like a shot. Her designer Chanel bag swung from her arm, and her sharp gaze swept over the crowd. Marcella gave her father an apologetic look, confirming my suspicion that she had called in reinforcements.

Papa Crist immediately stepped forward, trying to intercept her. "Darling, let's not make a scene. They're just children—they fight."

Mama Crist brushed him off like a fly. "Where is the student who dared to slut-shame my son's girlfriend and slap my son?" she demanded, her voice cutting through the hushed murmurs of the onlookers.

Jaxon sighed, trying to pull his mom back, but Melissa rolled her eyes again. "Want me to do it again?" she sneered, her smirk widening.

I didn't expect what happened next.

Mama Crist's expression shifted into something deadly calm, her forced smile barely masking the fury behind it. "Listen, sweetheart. I'll respect you as a child and as a girl. All I'm asking is for you to apologize to my son and Lily, and we'll be fine."

Melissa sneered. "No. He's a bastard, and I'll slap him again. Maybe his slut too. He disrespected me first."

The tension in the room reached a breaking point. Jaxon tried again to pull his mother away, but Mama Crist snapped. In one swift motion, she slapped Melissa across the face, the sound echoing like a gunshot.

Gasps filled the room, and I instinctively grabbed Grayson's hand, both of us staring wide-eyed at the scene unfolding before us.

Mama Crist turned to Papa Crist, her expression as sharp as a blade. "Suspend this disrespectful child immediately. And make sure she's never allowed into one of our leagues," she commanded, her tone cold and final.

"Yes, sweetheart. But why don't we go relax—"

"Marcella, Jaxon, let's go. Lily, Avery, Alessio, Grayson, Stella—come on. We're going shopping." Mama Crist slid her sunglasses on with an air of finality, gesturing for us to follow her.

Marcella sighed in relief, and I couldn't help but grin.

"Oo! Can you buy me a Chanel bag like yours?" I asked playfully, looping my arm through hers as we exited.

Mama Crist's anger softened slightly as she glanced at me. "Fine, honey," she replied as her driver opened the door to the limo.

We all piled in, the tension in the air giving way to relief. Damon leaned forward slightly, his voice soft. "Aunt, are you okay?"

Mama Crist smiled faintly. "I'm fine, love. Jaxon—Lily, are you two okay?"

Lily nodded shyly, but Jaxon was too busy checking on her, his focus entirely on her anxious expression.

"Mom, we're fine," Marcella chimed in gently, her worry still evident. "But... are you okay?"

Mama Crist waved her off with a dismissive flick of her hand. "We'll go to Chanel first for Stella's bag, then I'll get you boys some new suits for graduation in two months. Avery, Marcella, Lily—you can decide where to go next."

"I love you, Mommy Crist," Grayson teased dramatically. "In another life, I hope I win you over instead of Daddy Crist."

Mama Crist laughed, the sound lightening the mood.

"Oo, can we go to a stripper club next?" I joked, smirking.

Her eyes narrowed in mock disapproval. "Honey, if you wanted male strippers, I could've just forced Alessio and Grayson—they're practically that already."

Grayson gasped in mock offense while Alessio rolled his eyes, unimpressed.

I giggled. "I'm kidding, Mama Crist. We don't need anything. We just want you to be okay."

Mama Crist smiled, the tension finally melting away as the driver pulled out onto the street. Whatever storm she'd unleashed in the cafeteria was behind us now, and in true Crist fashion, we were moving forward with style.

_

"Okay, get in the picture!" Mama Crist called out with a laugh, her commanding presence making everyone snap into place. "Jaxon, hands around your future wife. Alessio, stand beside Avery. Stella, put your hand on Grayson's shoulder. Marci, go stand beside Damon."

I sighed, reluctantly stepping into my assigned spot beside Grayson. Everyone shuffled into position, grumbling but ultimately following Mama Crist's orders.

"You're loving this, aren't you?" I muttered through gritted teeth, forcing a fake smile as Mama Crist adjusted the camera in front of us. The flash went off a few times, blinding me.

Grayson leaned closer, his lips quirking into that signature sarcastic grin. "Hmm, not really. Though, if you were naked, I might enjoy it a bit more."

My eyes widened as he casually continued, "Of course I'm not enjoying this, princess. Why would I?"

I glared at him. "It's bad enough the whole school thinks we're dating. Don't make it harder for me."

He smirked, tilting his head and pointing at me. "Can't breathe when I'm around, huh?"

I gaped at him, momentarily stunned before twisting his words against him. "Why are you staring at my chest?" I snapped.

Grayson thinned his lips, his expression hardening. "I wasn't staring at your chest."

Rolling my eyes, I smacked his shoulder playfully. "You're such an idiot, Gray-Gray."

His entire demeanor shifted as he stiffened, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "Hey. Don't call me that. Only my parents do. Back off."

"Gray-Gray," I teased, pouting mockingly, determined to get under his skin.

In an instant, Grayson lunged, grabbing me with the intent to push me to the ground. Reflexively, I grabbed his uniform tie, dragging him down with me. We both toppled to the floor in a heap, me laughing and him scowling.

"Oh my God, I got that on camera!" Mama Crist cried, clearly delighted.

"Send that to me," Avery chimed in with a laugh. "Such a cute couple—Stella and Gray."

I squirmed beneath him, glaring as I shoved him off me. "Get off, idiot!"

Grayson grinned, brushing himself off. "Admit it, princess. You love it."

"Love what? Getting tackled by a raging narcissist?"

"Exactly," he said with a wink, earning a groan from me as everyone around us erupted into laughter.